“Playing through Grim Fandango now, years later is still a joy – but it has highlighted how spoiled modern gamers are. Some of the solutions to the puzzles – as was often the case with 90’s adventure games – are downright obtuse, opaque and bordering on asinine. And I love it. I love the fact that its puzzles make little to no logical sense, and there’s nothing remotely resembling the sort of “follow the trail” hand-holding so ubiquitous in modern games.

It also, despite being a remaster, doesn’t really look like a modern game. It’s not the most technically accomplished of remasters. This isn’t one of those shiny remakes like we saw happen with The Secret of Monkey Island and its special edition, or the New ‘N Tasty version of Abe’s Oddysee. There are a few newer, higher res characters models and a new real-time lighting engine to replace the previously baked in lighting, but the backgrounds have simply been upscaled. To be honest I’m okay with that.”

What makes Grim Fandango Remastered especially lovely is the director’s commentary, explaining the motivations behind some scenes, giving insight into the development process. It’s funny and enlightening, and that alone makes the remaster worth buying. Getting it for free is just gravy.

Editor. I'm old, grumpy and more than just a little cynical. One day, I found myself in possession of a NES, and a copy of Super Mario Bros 3. It was that game that made me realise that games were more than just toys to idly while away time - they were capable of being masterpieces. I'm here now, looking for more of those masterpieces.

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